traditional coat

In grey and gold-tone, intricate floral motifs are diligently painted by hand onto the surface of this adorable baby elephant. India's Mohammad Hussain Baba presents this sculpture, which is crafted from papier mache over weeping willow wood in the traditional style of Kashmiri handicrafts. Green and orange floral circles decorate the elephant's sides and back.

Golden flames inspired by Thailand's ancient temples form an intricate pattern on a lacquered black picture frame. Nantana Sompamitre's work is aimed at preserving Thailand's kruang-kern (lacquerware) traditions. She uses only natural materials and solutions, and the finished piece reveals a regal beauty.

Up to 26 coats of pure lacquer are applied to mango wood, polished with powdered fired clay, and gilded with a technique called lai rot nam, (watered pattern). Motifs are engraved free-hand and gold leaf is applied.

Glossy mango wood showcases Nantana Sompamitre's art. This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the black and red complemented by golden foil. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Gusti Ngurah Semarajaya is a hardworking artisan from Indonesia, seamlessly combining wood carvings with painting. He designs this jewelry box, which is hand-carved from local jempinis wood. He paints the striking image of Bhoma on its surface, a fierce-looking god that is known as lord of the forest and protector of small villages. The box opens to reveal four small compartments that surround one large compartment, all lined with polyester velvet for storing pieces of jewelry. A convenient mirror is on the inside of the lid.

By Nantana Sompamitre, this beautiful decorative bowl exemplifies one of Thailand's oldest art forms. It is lacquered inside and out, and adorned with bands of brown. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Glossy mango wood hosts a forest of flowers in a work of art by Nantana Sompamitre This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the green blossoms are etched by hand. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Glossy mango wood hosts a forest of flowers in a work of art by Nantana Sompamitre This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the blue blossoms are etched by hand. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Glossy mango wood hosts a forest of flowers in a work of art by Nantana Sompamitre This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the red blossoms are etched by hand. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Glossy mango wood hosts a forest of flowers in a work of art by Nantana Sompamitre. This exquisite bowl is lacquered inside and out; the green blossoms are etched by hand. She lathes the mango wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. When dry, it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay.

Like an ancient vessel found on temple altars, this handcrafted vase preserves an aura of rustic elegance. Presented by Nantana Sompamitre, the mango wood vase features a carefully affixed eggshell mosaic - evidencing Thailand's sumptuous lacquer ware legacy. Not watertight.

To craft a piece such as this one, mango wood is carefully hand-shaped upon a lathe and then a mixture of lacquer - obtained from trees and ashes of burnt rice paddy husks - is applied. Upon exposure to air the mixture dries to form a watertight seal which is polished before another coat is applied. This process is repeated until a rigid base is formed, and a final polishing is executed with sandpaper and several coats of pure lacquer are painted on the object, with drying periods in between each coat.

Next, chicken or duck eggshells are thoroughly cleaned and finely cracked to be patiently arranged in a mosaic pattern upon a fresh coat of lacquer. The work again lacquered twice, and when dry it is sanded in water until the eggshells slowly appear. The piece is finally rinsed with water and polished with powdered fired clay, resulting in an alluring distinctive gleam.

Care Instructions: Lacquerware is not dishwasher safe. When cleaning is needed, simply clean with a damp cloth and never use any type of abrasive cleaner.